Fall Break = Quick Trip

We decided at the last minute to surprise our kids with a trip to Utah to see Brandon's family over Fall Break. I spent all day last Wednesday trying to pack for 14 people without my kids noticing. I finally finished packing at 2:45am and got the kids up at 3:00am to head to Utah. We didn't tell them where we were going and none of them even came close to guessing where we were heading. Porter finally clued in when he saw the 'Welcome to Utah' sign:) Even then they had NO idea that Grandma and Grandpa Martineau were there waiting for us!!

Miles and Brandon at our first potty stop!
This stop was the first of many times we would have people's jaws drop as they watched us unload the van:) I love seeing people's faces!!

On Saturday Grandma and Grandpa Martineau had a great idea to take the train from Ogden to Salt Lake. I've always wanted to take the kids to Temple Square and to tour the Conference Center! We had a Great time and the kids were very well behaved.

The Gang Waiting for the Train

Little Maron ran a fever the entire time we were there but was still a good little girl (well except at night and the fact that she didn't want to go to anybody but Brandon an d I)

Our kids and Brandon's niece, Adi, with Grandpa and Grandma Martineau outside the Conference Center.

Our Family at the Conference Center...I guess it was a bit bright for some of the kids:)

The Salt Lake Temple is still one of my favorites. It was neat to take the kids to see the Christus! We had a set of sister missionaries that started talking to us and the kids LOVED them! One of the sister missionaries actually had all of the kids' names memorized before we left:)
On the Train

More of the train ride

After church on Sunday we went for a drive up Ogden Canyon and went to a lake up there to let the kids play for a bit. It was ABSOLUTELY beautiful since all the trees were changing colors.

The kids playing and trying to skip their rock further than their Dad's...they just can't ever seem to beat him:) The little girl bending over is our niece Marly...I HAD to snap this pic!!

Grandpa and Miles are pretty good buddies! The picture on the bottom left is of Aunt Dusty dipping Porter's head in the lake (which he totally deserved:)

I HAD to capture this too!!

Uncle Caleb, Uncle Russ, little Lyla, and Aunt Chelsea & Joy

We had a great time visiting Brandon's family. I have been blessed with amazing in-laws and we love getting to see them every chance we get (which isn't near as often as we would like!) We also got to go see Brandon's Grandma Martineau who isn't doing well at all. We were sad to say goodbye as we are sure it would be the last time we got to see her here in this life!!

Mess Maker...Mess Maker...

I Love these Mess Makers!!

Maron Eating her first Oreo!

After her first piece of Licorice!

Our Mallori is ALL girl!! She LOVES to wear her sister's shoes, hats, etc. and always has to have her purse and a baby doll. She also is usually carrying around my old cell phone. We are in TROUBLE with this girl!!

Tenney Reunion 2011...

Doesn't this look like fun??!!

It's crazy to think that our family is this big...and there were 18 of the fam missing!!

Mallori with a snake...we were surprised she'd even get near it!

Michael, Paul, Tessa, Eva, Miles, Morgon, Mallori, and Amelia

Beautiful Sisters...Jessica, Maryssa, and Kim

Mimi with her favorite granddaughter Lou Lou

Cousins R the Best...Eva and Tessa

Maron and Gracilyn aka Lou Lou taking a nap together!

My beautiful Sister & beautiful Mother and Me

Randy and Cynthia blessed their Newest addition, Brielle, on that Sunday of the reunion...Dad and Mom Tenney, Randy, Cynthia, and Brielle, and Cynthia's parents, Max & Pattie

Miles on the teeter-totter

Miles and Ty

Can you believe Jessi is 38 weeks here?...isn't she GORGEOUS!!

Maryssa, Lauren, Macky, and Cody chillen on the lawn...I sure do love my nieces and nephews!

Maron Cakers...gosh I love this girl!

Carly and Maryjane sang the song they performed in church for us. It was wonderful!!


Ron, Jody, and Trav...don't they look happy to be here!

Ron catchin some ZZzzzz's!


Monday of the Reunion we harvested the corn from my Dad's garden and dry-packed some year supply stuff. It's a LOT of work, but leaves such a great feeling!

Lauren, Ciara, and Callie...stacking the corn!

Gay, Kalee, Lauren, and Tara...cutting the corn!

Cynthia, Morgon, and Tyton de-silking the corn!

Tristen, Dallin, Jami and Trevor helping Dad shuck the corn!


My two favorite guys hard at work!!

Yes I know the corn pictures are out of order:)

We had a great reunion!! We missed those who couldn't join us!! Family is what life is all about. I'm not sure where I would be without mine!!

Washington Getaway...

Brandon, Maron, and I made a quick trip up to Washington this past week. Brandon's sister and her husband were getting sealed in the Seattle temple and we of course couldn't miss that!! We had a blast spending time with those of Brandon's family that live up there. I am extremely grateful for the great family I married into.

Dad Martineau took us up to this crazy high bridge. Washington is gorgeous!!

View from the bridge

Our niece Emilie & me

The Bridge...it's scarier than it looks!!

Brandon LOVES going shooting with his dad...lets just say I still can't hear well:)

Brandon and his brother-in-law, Rich...Brandon got the awesome privilege of being his escort in the Temple.

Us with Ginger & Rich and their family

Their four kiddos...Conol, Cael, Nevin, and Adi

Rich & Ginger and their kids

Dad, Michelle, Liam, Brandon, Mom, Penny, and Aidan waiting to get into Buca di Beppos for dinner!!

Me and my hot stuff!

Maron and Papa Martineau...she LOVED being spoiled!! (she got to go since she flies free:)

I, like Nephi...

Have been born of Goodly Parents. I have had an overwhelming sense of gratitude since the Saturday session of our Stake Conference. I can hardly control my emotions when I sit back and think about how blessed I have been to have the family that I do. It was a sacred privilege to sit in that meeting and hear both of my parents bear their witness to the truthfulness of the gospel and of our Savior Jesus Christ. I have heard their testimonies a number of times in my life, but for some reason this time it was different. Maybe it's because I am older and appreciate it/them more, maybe it's because of the growth we have experienced as a family having them serve as the Temple President and Matron the last 3 years, but whatever the reason is...I will forever be grateful for the opportunity I had to be there and feel of the spirit.

Oh...Back to School...Back to School...

To prove to dad that I'm not a fool!!

Today I celebrated school being back in session by going to Red Onion for lunch with some friends. I LOVE my kids but I LOVE the structure that being in school brings. No more eating dinner after 8:00, kids going to bed after 10:00, and listening to kids fighting all day long! It does make me sad though that my kids are growing up SO fast!!

Tristen (8th Grade), Eva (6th grade), Michael & Porter (4th grade), Amelia (3rd Grad), Zach & Paul (1st grade), and Morgon & Caden (kindergarten)

I had to also post these other pictures..

Love this munchkin!


Mallori was sick puking the other day and Brandon took this picture...

Poor Girl!

Brotherly Love...

Anyone who has an older brother can understand the torment one goes through at times. They can be your best friend or your worse enemy! Watching these two brought back memories of being teased and tortured by my older brothers...I had to sit back and smile!!